Golden Rules of HSE

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2 Message from the Fugro Board of Management

3 Our HSE Principles

4 Implementation

6 Confined Spaces

8 Driving

10 Equipment/ System Isolation

12 Fitness for Work

14 Ground Disturbance

16 Hazardous Substances

18 Lifting Operations

20 Loading and Unloading of Vehicles

22 Personnel Transfer

24 Simultaneous Operations

26 Working at Height

28 Working with Equipment

Message from the Fugro Board of Management

Our organisation is diverse with many HSE risks which need to be managed. These Golden Rules of HSE provide basic guidance which is based on our experience and lessons learned. Compliance with the rules is essential to preventing personal injury and ill health.

The safety of everyone requires commitment, leadership, and the willingness to intervene when you see someone working unsafely or when a situation deteriorates. I believe that Fugro’s Golden Rules of HSE will make a real contribution to strengthening our safety culture.

Paul van RielChairman Board of ManagementChief Executive OfficerFugro N.V.

Our HSE Principles

Pic ‘supplied’?

• Everyone has a responsibility to themselves and others to act and work safely.

• Carefully planned work will prevent unsafe situations.

• Learning from our experience will improve our HSE performance.

• Support of our principles by suppliers and subcontractors will assist us in improving our standards.

• Empowering all employees and contractors to stop unsafe acts will reduce incidents and personal injury.

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The following are implicit in each of the rules:

• All operations and tasks will be risk assessed and the appropriate control measures (precautions) implemented giving due regard for the hierarchy of control measures.

• Work will not commence until a safe system of work has been devised and implemented.

• Work will not commence without a task specific safety briefing.

• Those involved in the work will be competent, medically fit and sufficiently rested.

• Emergency response plans, including rescue plan, will be in place before commencing any work.

• Everyone has the right and obligation to stop work that is considered unsafe.

Permit to Work (PTW)

Work involving high risk activities, such as confined space entry, hot work, diving operations and work on electrical /mechanical installations etc shall be controlled by a permit to work. A PTW is an extension of a safe system of work and should not be seen as a replacement for it.

Management of Change

Temporary and permanent changes to personnel, systems, procedures, working methods and practices, equipment and materials may be planned or unplanned. Although every effort must be made to identify appropriate operations, work activities and control measures to eliminate risks and to minimise the need for change, unexpected or unforeseen events or situations may still arise. These events and situations may require unplanned changes to be implemented quickly which, if not managed effectively, may significantly increase risk to Health and Safety.

Appropriate action will be taken against those who:

• Deliberately disregard a safety rule.• Work or drive while under the

influence of alcohol or drugs.• Refuse to obey an instruction in

the event of imminent danger.

these rules are intended for everyone including contractors, from the people who organize the work to those who supervise and carry it out. Fugro Management is responsible for ensuring that the rules are communicated, understood and complied with.

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Implementation

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always 3• Avoid the need to enter or work

in confined spaces whenever you can.

• Understand the hazards and implement the controls (precautions) needed to manage the risks.

• Isolate and lock off all energy and fluid sources affecting the space.

• Ensure that the confined space has been adequately ventilated.

• Obtain a permit-to-work before work commences.

• Communicate the requirements of the permit to all those involved in the task.

• Develop a rescue plan appropriate to the location, environment and task being undertaken.

• Ensure that a safety attendant (standby person) is in place to monitor the workers and raise the alarm if needed.

Never 7• Enter a confined space unless

authorised to do so.

• Enter a confined space unless you are satisfied it is safe.

• Enter a confined space until isolation has been verified and the atmosphere checked, varied and repeated as determined by the risk assessment.

• Enter a confined space without having a written and approved emergency rescue plan.

• Attempt a rescue without proper training and the correct equipment.

1. Confined Spaces

you don’t necessarily have to see, feel or smell the hazard to be in danger in a confined space. Entry into a confined space must be controlled and only authorized following a risk assessment and implementation of the agreed control measures.

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2. Driving

always 3• Ensure that the vehicle is in safe

working order.

• Check the wear and pressure of your tyres regularly, not forgetting the spare.

• Secure loads before driving/moving the vehicle.

• Whether you are a driver or passenger, always wear your seatbelt.

• Obey highway rules, traffic and warning signs.

• Take local conditions into consideration when driving.

Never 7• Drive a vehicle unless you

are authorised and you hold a valid license.

• Use your mobile/cell phone to make or receive a call, send or read a text message or e-mail when driving.

• Transport passengers and goods in the same compartment.

• Drive above the indicated speed limit.

• Exceed the manufacturer’s specification for the number of passengers and weight of the load to be carried.

• Drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

• Drive if you feel tired.

Speed kills - when on the road drive with care and be considerate to others.

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the starting point for correct isolation is to identify clearly the equipment or system to be worked on, and which therefore needs to be made safe.

3. Equipment/System Isolation

always 3• Notify all affected personnel that

the particular equipment/system will be shut down and isolated.

• Identify and isolate the equipment/system from all energy sources.

• Ensure that any stored or hidden energy is safely released or secured before you start work on it.

• Install lock-out or tag-out devices on all energy sources.

• Make sure that the isolation is effective before starting work and is periodically checked.

Never 7• Overlook an energy source

when isolation procedures are carried out.

• Remove a tag or lock unless you are the one who placed it.

• Start work without authorisation.

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One of our primary considerations is to promote good health in the workplace - our aim is to ensure that all employees are able to carry out their work, without any adverse effects on their health and well-being.

4. Fitness for work

always 3• Inform your supervisor if you

are taking medication that may affect your work.

• Avoid over exposure to vibration/vibrating tools.

• Adopt good manual handling techniques.

• Prevent dermatitis caused by contact with hazardous substances.

• Avoid exposure to weather extremes. Consider working hours, protective barriers and personal protective equipment requirements.

• Avoid exposure to loud noise or noise over an extended period of time.

Never 7• Ignore your health - prevention is

always better than the cure.

• Arrive at work under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

• Become dehydrated.

• Work when fatigued.

• Breath in harmful vapours, gases, fumes or dust.

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It is better to establish what hazards exist before commencing work, rather than finding out by accident.

5. Ground Disturbance

always 3General (excavations, trenching, drilling and coring)

• Locate and avoid underground services and hazards, for example; electrical cables, gas/oil/water pipes, munitions, contamination and shallow gas.

• Develop emergency procedures appropriate to the location, environment and the task.

Excavations/Trenches

• Prevent collapse - shore, step/ bench or batter back/slope.

• Prevent, people, equipment/plant and materials from falling into the excavation/trench.

• Keep plant and materials away from the edge of the excavation/trench.

• Provide safe access and egress.

• Check the excavation/trench each day before works starts and after adverse weather conditions.

• Check if the confined space Golden Rule applies.

Never 7• Start work without authorization.

• Enter an unstable excavation or trench.

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Ill health caused by hazardous substances used at work is preventable. Many substances can harm health but, used properly, they almost never do.

6. Hazardous Substances (Including Materials)

always 3• Eliminate the use of a harmful

substance or use a safer alternative, if possible.

• Ensure engineering controls and general ventilation are at a level that will ensure personal exposure levels are not exceeded.

• Have as few workers in harm’s way as possible.

• Read the information label on the container and follow the instructions.

• Avoid contact with skin.

• Make sure procedures are in place for dealing with spillages.

• Ensure appropriate first aid measures are available.

• Store, handle and dispose of hazardous substances correctly.

• Wash your hands after use handling a hazardous substance and before eating.

• Wear the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) for example gloves, coveralls and respirator.

Never 7• Handle or dispose of chemicals

in any way other than using the approved process.

• Eat drink or smoke when handling hazardous substances.

• Wear poorly fitting or contaminated personal protective equipment.

• Expose yourself and other people to hazardous dust, fumes, vapours, gas or other dangers as a result of your work.

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Items being lifted or mechanically handled have the potential to cause serious injury. all lifting operations must be properly planned.

7. lifting Operations

always 3• Establish that the lifting

equipment and accessories are certified, marked with their safe working load and in date for use.

• Check that the equipment safety devices are functioning correctly.

• Visually inspect the lifting equipment and accessories for obvious defects before use.

• Restrict access around the lifting area.

• Know your proximity hazards, for example; water/quayside, overhead power lines, adjacent structures and stacked spares/goods.

• Consider the prevailing weather conditions when planning the task.

• Consider the ground when using a mobile crane or fork lift truck for example; access, egress, level, sloping, excavations and condition.

Never 7• Use worn, damaged or makeshift

equipment or accessories.

• Exceed the safe working load of the equipment or accessories.

• Use improvised lifting equipment and accessories or those in poor condition.

• Lift a load unless it is properly rigged.

• Lift or transfer personnel unless the equipment and accessories are correctly certified.

• Walk or stand under a suspended load or behind a slewing crane.

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the majority of unloading and loading incidents on site result from the inadequate segregation of pedestrians from vehicles, working at height and the mechanical lifting, manoeuvring and placement of loads. Select the loading and storage area carefully.

8. loading and Unloading of Vehicles

Never 7• Load or unload a vehicle without

the brakes applied and stabilisers extended if fitted.

• Move a vehicle with an unsecured load.

• Remain on the back of the vehicle whilst it is in motion.

• Reverse a vehicle into or out off the loading/unloading area without a signaller (sometimes referred to as the banksman).

• Use mechanical lifting equipment you are not authorised to.

• Work at height, for example; on the back of the vehicle or on the load, without the appropriate control measures.

always 3• Immobilise the vehicle during the

loading and unloading operation.

• Restrict access to the loading/unloading area - use barriers if possible.

• Have sufficient room for vehicle movements and avoid reversing.

• Stand clear of moving vehicles.

• Ensure that the area is well lit and high visibility clothing is worn.

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transfer at sea between Vessels, Jack Up Barges and Offshore Structures must be considered as high risk. wherever possible the transfer of persons between vessels should take place with the vessel secured at a berth via an accommodation ladder or gangway.

9. Personnel transfer

always 3• Consider the necessity for transfer.

• Consider the vessel movement and transfer limitations.

• Ensure the sea state and temperature are within acceptable limits.

• Ensure those being transferred are physically fit, sufficiently prepared and briefed, and are familiar with the transfer method.

• Make sure that the appropriate emergency equipment is in place such as radio, flares, torch, man overboard equipment etc.

• Wear the appropriate personal protective equipment such as a self-inflating life jacket.

Personnel Transfer Basket

• Ensure the crane, transfer basket and crane operator are validated for man-riding operations.

• Consider the wind speed, vessel movement and operating limitation of the crane to be used.

• Visually inspect the basket before every transfer.

• Ensure that taglines cannot snag on an obstruction during the transfer.

Never 7• Proceed with a transfer without

checking that the vessels can maintain station.

• Undertake a transfer operation without first establishing visual and radio communications between those supervising the transfer.

• Transfer luggage or other items at the same time as personnel - transfer in a separate operation.

• Proceed if you have any concerns about the transfer.

Personnel Transfer Basket

• Undertake a transfer unless the crane operator and signaller (banksman) have good visibility of the pick-up, transfer and landing areas.

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working together safely is essential. Be aware that carrying out an activity in close proximity to, or which clashes with another activity or operation, may increase risk levels.

10. Simultaneous Operations (SIMOPS)

always 3• Identify simultaneous operations.

• Hold information, coordination and planning meetings.

• Define responsibilities and nominate the responsible person for each activity.

• Understand your role and who else is involved in the operation.

• Maintain good communications with all involved.

• Manage and record any changes.

Never 7• Undertake simultaneous

or co-activities without a prior inspection.

• Commence work without everyone knowing their specific role and the appropriate level of supervision in place.

• Start work with without a pre-operation/task briefing.

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there is no safe height to fall from - avoid the need to work at height unless absolutely necessary.

11. working at Height

always 3• Use an existing safe place of

work to access work at height such as, permanent stair and guard-railed platform.

• Use equipment to prevent falls, for example, scaffolding, mobile access towers or mobile elevating work platforms which have guardrails around the working platform rather than fall protection equipment e.g. restraint/arrest lanyard and harness.

• Visually inspect fall restraint/arrest equipment for defects before use such as, harness and lanyard.

• Place portable ladders and step ladders facing the direction of the task.

• Secure tools, equipment and materials to prevent them from falling.

• Develop a rescue plan appropriate to the location, environment and task being undertaken.

• Consider the prevailing weather conditions when planning the task.

Never 7• Work next to an unprotected

edge or open access hatch.

• Use portable ladders for anything else other than access and light work for short durations.

• Over-stretch or over-reach, reposition if necessary.

• Work in severe weather conditions e.g. high winds.

• Work at height without fall restraint/arrest equipment (harness and lanyard) when there is no fall prevention in place.

• Work alone.

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Many accidents happen because people have not chosen the right equipment for the work to be done. Controlling the risk often means planning ahead and ensuring that suitable equipment or machinery is available.

12. working with Equipment (Plant, Machinery and Handheld tools)

always 3• Use the correct equipment,

machinery or tool for the task.

• Operate equipment following manufacturer’s instructions, operating manuals, and local instructions.

• Visually inspect the equipment before use for obvious defects.

• Position mobile plant such as drilling/cable percussion rigs on a firm level surface.

• Ensure that access to rotating shafts and drives is prevented. Use fixed or interlocking guards.

• Immobilise the machine before undertaking any maintenance work, repair or blockage removal.

• Stand clear of danger zones e.g. hot surfaces, exhaust, pressure relief valves, moving parts (shearing, trapping, crushing or cutting), hydraulic rams and swinging or falling objects.

• Use the correct type of PPE needed to use certain machines safely e.g. angle grinders.

• Avoid wearing jewellery and loose clothing.

Never 7• Operate plant, machines or use

hand held tools unless you are competent.

• Bypass or try and defeat guards or safety interlocks.

• Use an open bladed knife unless absolutely necessary.

• Improvise by using non-standard or makeshift equipment.

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A key requirement of our Corporate HSE strategies and principles is to reinforce and promote individual employee ‘self-responsibility’ for health and safety and to ‘watch out’ for each other.

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